Totally torn on short or long bed...

Forget the trailer just get the long bed.

 

Not getting long bed is my only regret. That extra foot makes a huge difference. All sorts of stuff would fit in my bed with the tailgate up that with the 5 footer I have to leave the tailgate down and ratchet strap down.

 

Not true, If you get a full size with the bigger cab you get a 5’ bed with the same wheelbase.

 

I'd bet a LOT more times than you think. There's MANY short beds sold, so some obviously like the looks of them better (myself included). Probably those out there who bought long beds for the functionality
however wish they had purchased a short bed every time they see one.

 

I bought a double cab long bed and it has saved my ass multiple times when it comes to hauling my bikes. I was wondering if I had made a mistake with the long bed after I purchased just because it wouldn't fit in my garage and I have to park it in the driveway, but man when I saw the short beds in person later in parking lots and looked at the size of the inside of the bed I realized they aren't even trucks. They are more like SUV's with an open trunk area.

I would just buy a 4runner rather than go down to a 5 foot bed.

 

I personally got a short bed. Imo they look better and in all reality I didn't really buy my my truck for the hauling. 5' bed is still plenty cargo space for me and I still have enough room in the garage to walk around it.



Edit: and she still hauls when I need her to!

 

Short bed for me. I always park my DCSB in the garage and it wouldn't fit with the long bed. Small parking spaces in office parking garages can be a problem with long vehicles too, many have to park on the roof if space is even available there. I have a bed extender which works very well (and is easily removed and fits in the back seat if necessary) and does a great job of trapping smaller items between it and the tailgate when rotated into the bed. I bungee a plastic milk crate in to hold really small things (like gas cans) so they don't slide all over the bed when I make turns. Wouldn't have a truck without one.

 

You're right, when the s10 first came out, the 7.5" bed was standard, but after they redesigned it they offered a short bed as well, and if you remember, the single cab short beds were much more popular then single cab long bed. Why? Because nobody wanted them.

The manufacturer is building what sells. Full size 8' bed trucks can be had with a standard or extended cabs still, they haven't gone away. Offering additional configurations costs money, added tooling, more complexity in the assembly line. I just can't imagine offering an 8'bed on the tacoma makes fiscal sense because the demand just isn't there. If people need a decent sized bed, they buy... a decent sized truck lol.

I also enjoy your comment, "haul a boat" and "doesn't do any real work" ...so hauling a boat isn't work? So if I have a 40ft center console that I need a fullsize truck to tow it, my truck actually doesn't do any real work?

 

Living in the city (Seattle), I've found my DCLB a challenge when it come to parking in lots, esp. parking garages, where the stalls are small and on city streets where it seems the available spaces are all more suited to a Corolla than a DCLB. Also, its length requires special care in negotiating narrow streets with parking on both sides of the street.

And, while the DC clearly is more comfortable for passengers than the AC, there's not much legroom back there for 6 footer's. When I'm the DD to take a foursome to the golf course, because my truck can accommodate 4 golfers, bags and push carts, there's a battle for the front passenger seat. The back seat is clearly more suited to shorter adults, kids, and dogs.

If I could do it all over again and it were available, I would buy an ACSB. I don't do much hauling, except dogs and hunting gear, and could easily do with the SB.

 

Short bed if you’re intention is to run it on trails. Otherwise, long bed all day. You’ll regret getting a short bed. If you’re getting a truck to use as a truck, long bed. You’ll have more room to load stuff into and never have to worry for 90% of the things you’ll be moving. I helped a buddy move with a short bed and man, I know it’s only 1’ smaller but it looks like a damn children’s toy box on the back. Not to mention they look disproportionate. I’ve never had an issue “navigating” the truck. It’s not a damn train. There’s no special needed factor for driving it. It’s relatively easy to park on busy downtown streets. I’ve driven my rig to downtown San Fran and parked on their busy streets in between cars with ease. Just gotta know how to turn into the spots properly.
If you get a pro you’re stuck with a short bed. So you’ll have to get an OR if you want a long bed. Sounds like you have funds at your disposal so maybe a short bed wouldn’t hurt you if you can drop the extra cash on a trailer..or you know..just get a long bed and not worry about it

 

If you are going to sleep in the bed, the 6' is probably the way to go. Otherwise, the 5' would work and be easier to live with on a daily basis.

 

I've had both. If you are looking for a truck, the short bed gets disappointing from time to time. Bought my long bed and haven't had a second thought

 

You obviously missed the demographic I was pertaining to.

If you haul a 40ft CC with anything less than a 450+ you're nuts. I would be more comfortable with that load on a 650+ chassis. Just sayin'

 

Lol I was just kidding for the most part. Understand, I live on an island.. just about everybody has a huge truck that does no work, but they have it for their boats because there are multiple year long waiting lists to get a slip around here.

 

Every time I see one I think of a disproportionate wiener dog

 

I understand that. Go mainland and see these 250s and such hauling a little 18ft bass boat or ski boat or something like that, which I did with my anemic 2.3l 5spd Ranger 2wd. Then they go and park it at their house never to be driven again until the boat comes out like once a month. I get hauling a big boat with a big truck or something like that because you need it then.

 

^^^^ This^^^^

That is probably why there are so many iterations of the Tacoma. What works for me might not work for you. Sometimes you just gotta go with what you like/need/want and screw what everyone says ;-)

 

I’ve had both a long bed taco and short bed taco.

Final verdict short bed all the way, that is if you plan on getting the truck on the trails. If you want something to haul lumber around town just get a long bed.

 

I recently bought the (now rare) TRD Sport Access Cab. It fits my needs perfectly and replaces a '07 TRD PreRunner AC.

Nobody will sit in the back jump seats except for in an emergency. I think it's the "best of both worlds" choice. For me, anyway.

 

With the price difference between the OR and Pro, you can build YOUR version of the pro, and then some.
I went with a LB because, among other things, I planned on sleeping in the bed while camping. With me, the wife, and dogs back there, a 5ft bed didn't have enough room. DCLB isn't the best for running tight trails though.